OUR CAMPAIGN

Gimme Shelter Portland is a non-profit 501c4 organization dedicated to transforming Multnomah County Animal Services, the only publicly funded, open intake animal services agency in Multnomah County into a modern, vibrant animal services agency that insures live outcomes for at least 90% of the dogs and cats it impounds.

Thousands of pet loving Portlanders believe it is time for Multnomah County Animal Services to join the ranks of the many progressive communities achieving 90% plus save rates. To that end, we are asking the Chair and Commissioners of Multnomah County and the Mayor and Council Members of the City of Portland to immediately:

1. Pass a resolution to end the killing of all adoptable (healthy, treatable and manageable) dogs and cats by 2013.

2. Adopt and implement a comprehensive plan of life-saving programs and services which have been proven to achieve a 90% save rate.

Based on standard criteria for assessing animal health and behavior, it is generally accepted that 90% of dogs and cats entering open intake shelters are adoptable; classified as heathy, treatable or manageable with reasonable medical or behavioral care. A 90% save rate is the measure of no-kill. In 2005, one community in the U.S. had achieved no kill status. Today there are over 169.

Multnomah County Animal Services refuses to declare a 90% save rate goal. Instead, it predicts future save rates according to what it assumes can be achieved within the traditional animal control model. As Warren Buffett stated, “Those entrusted with the funds of others should establish performance goals. Lacking such standards, management is tempted to shoot the arrow of performance and then paint the bulls eye around wherever it lands.” Gimme Shelter Portland demands more for our shelter animals.